I had a decision the night before I left Shangri-La and headed home to Pennsylvania. I could either get on the road at the break of dawn, what I have done before, or try something different. I opted for the latter.

I got up at my usual time, made my coffee and once ready, headed out on to the deck. The tide was going out. It was warm, very humid but most of very all tranquil and silent, with the exception of the waves washing on shore. Once I had finished my coffee, I changed into my running clothes, stretched on the lower deck and then headed out to my usual route. I set my GPS watch and had just begun to pick up my pace when a familiar voice called out to me.

“What are you doing here?” and before I asked who it was the sandpiper told me, “It’s Max, you know the one you’ve named Maximilian Shell.” I smiled and stopped at the water’s edge.

“Well,” I replied after a moment of reflection, “I decided to try something different this time. Instead of rushing out of here, I decided to wait until around 9 and ease into the drive.”

“I totally understand,” said Max and then added for effect, “why don’t you just ease down into not going and stay here.”

“I’ll think about,” and began my walk again. Max decided to run along beside me. “By the way, where is everyone?”

“Well,” he replied as I watched him dart in and out of the waves looking for a new treat, “today is Monday, so Elizabeth no doubt is in court trying to get money out of some pour soul and the others are at work, except for Timmy.”

“Why where’s Timmy?”

“He went to the Synagogue to say the mourners kaddish, because he believes he will never see you again and yes of course the younger ones Rosa and Julie are getting ready for school.”

I laughed, “the mourner’s kaddish?” I was amused. “Do they really believe they would never see me again?”

“No, only Timmy. The others tried to talk sense into him, but he began to wail and they all walked away.”

“He’s a friend of yours, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he’s my token Jewish friend,” he laughed, “everyone should have one.”

I laughed out loudly. It was very refreshing to hear that sort of humour once more. “I guess he’ll be surprised he missed me,”

“Surprised and annoyed,”

“Very true. Anyway, I can’t spend as much time as I would like, so I’m just going to continue my walk.”

“Do you want me to tell them you were here?”

“Probably not because as you said Timmy would be upset. But I will see you soon.” I waved goodbye and was about to pick up speed again when I heard Max call out to me.

“Do me a favour please. Yesterday when you were taking all our photographs in the afternoon, I wasn’t pleased with the one you took of me. I had recently returned from Church and had to be on my best behaviour, so it wasn’t a natural look. Do you mind taking another?”

Believe it or not, I had brought my iPhone this time. I had this feeling. And so I took it out of my pocket and was about to click when he shouted, “no not yet. I have to make sure I look ok.” He then dived into the water came up and asked, “how do my feathers look?”

“Perfect!” I answered.

And again, before I took the shot, he had one more request. “How about an action shot?” And so here you have it. Here is a photo of Maximilian Shell about to extract another item for his breakfast!